Taiwanese NGO based in Turkey is appealing to the public for donations
Ever since a strong earthquake hit Turkey four days ago, the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, a Taiwanese NGO based in Turkey, has provided shelter to scores of earthquake survivors. The center, which was originally a community center for Syrian refugees, now takes in about 300 to 400 people a day. The center’s head Chiu Chen-yu returned to Taiwan on Thursday night and is now appealing for funds and more resources, so that his center can continue providing post-disaster relief.
Following a devastating earthquake, this little girl and her family sought at the “Taiwan center” in the Turkish city of Reyhanli near the Syrian border. The center says it’s receiving 300 to 400 survivors a day. Its head, Chiu Chen-yu, returned to Taiwan on Thursday night. He’s expected to stay here for two weeks, and drum up even more resources for earthquake relief.
Chiu Chen-yu
Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens
Now in Reyhanli, the “Taiwan center” is the only institution that provides food, power, and water for free. I’ve come back this time because I hope that I can cooperate with the general public, scholars, specialists, architects, our donors and NGOs. We will look to our past experience with the 1999 Jiji earthquake to turn the “Taiwan center,” which is currently like an isolated island, into a place with energy self-sufficiency.
Chiu says the city of Reyhanli, where his center is located, is in a state of anarchy, with power and water shortages. He says that with resources limited, there could soon be a food crisis.
Chiu Chen-yu
Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens
The Taiwan center is an initiative of Taiwanese civil society. I am really grateful to the Taiwanese community for their support for us. I believe that the “Taiwan center” can keep on going and of course I very much hope that we can cooperate with the Taiwan government. In this most hopeless town, that is suffering from a Syrian refugee crisis and, at the same time, is suffering from a once-in-a-century earthquake, whatever the “Taiwan center” does will be watched by the world.
When Chiu’s “Taiwan Center” was established in 2016, Taiwan’s foreign ministry contributed about NT$12 million, but the monthly operating expenses of more than NT$1 million are raised by Chiu and Taiwanese business people based in Turkey. Following the earthquake, the center launched a fundraising campaign for emergency resettlement and relief. So far donations have exceeded NT$6 million. The hope is that the center can keep on operating and provide help to more earthquake survivors.
2023-02-10
